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Allegan County Deputies Make Arrest In Recent Local Break-Ins; Investigation Continuing

October 11th, 2018 | By Efrain Sandoval

Allegan County deputies dedicated to the City of Saugatuck made an arrest last Friday in connection with the overnight break-in at Uncommon Roasters three weeks ago and may be linked to another local area break-in as well.

Allegan County Sheriff’s Department Detective Brett Ensfield, who is in charge of the four deputies for the city, reported the apprehension to city council during Monday night’s meeting.

“We are not releasing a name at this time because the suspect has not been arraigned yet,” said Ensfield.

The deputies’ ongoing investigation has gleaned that the subject may be linked to the other break-in, similar in nature, at Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises.

Deputies reported that Uncommon Roasters, 127 Hoffman St., was broken into Sept. 20-21 between 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. and Saugatuck Boat Cruises, 716 Water St., the following night between 8:30 p.m, and 8:50 a.m.

“The break-in at the coffee shop is the one where we had the most evidence for,” said Ensfield.

“We couldn’t have done this without the support of the community, not getting down on us. We appreciate the positive support, letting us do our jobs,” Ensfiled reported to council.

In both cases, the suspect or suspects seemed to be very familiar with the business’ operations: knew well the location of articles inside the businesses and how to navigate the space as well as when to be there.

In both cases, the suspects left the places nice and orderly so as to eliminate any traces, say deputies.

At the coffee shop, the suspect stole cash from the safe and the registers.

At the Star, the suspect or suspects also took money from the cash registers as well as liquor from the shelves.

Allegan County Sheriff Deputy Janel Hagerty makes the following recommendations to business to minimize or prevent break-ins: Take any cash out of the building and put in a secure place, leaving register drawers open; make your building secure and well-lit (outdoor motion-sensor lights and cameras may serve as deterrents); and have employees, friends and neighbors share any suspicious activity among themselves and business owner.

The council agreed in March to break with the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Douglas and contract with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department for police service, citing a saving of more than $200,000 per year.

Saugatuck officials praised the work of the Allegan County deputies for their professional work in dealing with the local crimes.